1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:07,520 Hello everyone. My name is Carolyn Jackson and I am the regional community 2 00:00:04,799 --> 00:00:12,000 engagement manager for Amazon and your facilitator 3 00:00:09,120 --> 00:00:15,599 for today's information session. I've been with Amazon for four years helping 4 00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:21,160 to support community engagement for our data centers and making sure we're being 5 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:21,160 a good neighbor. 6 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:29,080 Here is our plan for the next hour. 7 00:00:29,279 --> 00:00:36,960 Amazon technical experts will walk us through what's being planned and what's 8 00:00:34,079 --> 00:00:40,520 already underway and what it means for the city of Sydney. 9 00:00:46,719 --> 00:00:52,640 We set aside time at the end of the session to answer questions you've 10 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:57,600 submitted when registering. This is designed as an educational session. 11 00:00:55,600 --> 00:01:03,600 You'll hear directly from people closest to the work. To ensure we provide as 12 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:08,240 much information as we can in this hour, we will have some team members joining 13 00:01:05,439 --> 00:01:12,640 us live and others pre-recorded. The goal of this time is to have a 14 00:01:10,240 --> 00:01:17,280 transparent as possible to be transparent as possible and share 15 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:20,640 information we know is top priority for everyone. 16 00:01:18,960 --> 00:01:25,119 We believe communities deserve to be brought along the journey and we will do 17 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:28,520 our very best to address your questions. you have shared. 18 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:37,920 As you can see here, we have a packed agenda today. We'll start off with a 19 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:43,920 quick overview of data centers and then get into topics such as air permitting, 20 00:01:40,720 --> 00:01:49,119 environment, and acoustics, followed by a plan for the city of Sydney. 21 00:01:47,520 --> 00:01:55,280 We'll also address some of your top concerns, including water use, energy 22 00:01:52,320 --> 00:02:00,399 use, and sound, and then discuss some of the great opportunities the data centers 23 00:01:57,200 --> 00:02:08,280 will bring to your community, as well as many ways Amazon plans to give back and 24 00:02:03,119 --> 00:02:08,280 invest in a future ready workforce. 25 00:02:08,959 --> 00:02:16,319 As I've shared, we have a lot of great information to share with you today. To 26 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:22,239 get us started and share his perspective on this collaboration, we're pleased to 27 00:02:19,200 --> 00:02:25,760 present a message from your mayor, Mike Barhost. 28 00:02:24,080 --> 00:02:31,040 » Good evening and thank you for taking time from your busy schedules to join us 29 00:02:27,760 --> 00:02:36,239 for this webinar. As I begin, I want to acknowledge that navigating the unknown 30 00:02:32,959 --> 00:02:39,920 can be difficult. As human beings, it is natural to focus on the worst case 31 00:02:38,000 --> 00:02:44,400 scenario when we don't know what the future's going to bring. I've been 32 00:02:42,400 --> 00:02:47,920 around a long time and I was serving on city council when it was announced that 33 00:02:45,920 --> 00:02:53,280 Honda would be locating a large manufacturing facility near Anna. To say 34 00:02:51,200 --> 00:02:58,239 that the entire county was in an uproar would be an understatement. I attended 35 00:02:55,920 --> 00:03:01,920 many of the public meetings in the 1980s and I heard many of the same concerns 36 00:03:00,239 --> 00:03:06,400 and sentiments that I'm hearing today regarding the Amazon data center. There 37 00:03:04,640 --> 00:03:10,959 were concerns about the impact on our agricultural heritage, environmental 38 00:03:08,720 --> 00:03:15,440 issues, foreign investment, and many other questions about what Japanese 39 00:03:12,640 --> 00:03:19,920 presence in our community would mean. Fast forward more than 40 years, and we 40 00:03:17,840 --> 00:03:23,840 can look back with the benefit of that experience. 41 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:29,040 Honda has become a vibrant and valued part of the fabric of our community. 42 00:03:26,959 --> 00:03:33,680 Friends and family members have built careers and supported their livelihoods 43 00:03:31,040 --> 00:03:37,599 because of this investment. Local businesses and community organizations 44 00:03:35,519 --> 00:03:42,159 have benefited and the economic opportunities created by the project 45 00:03:39,360 --> 00:03:46,159 have had a lasting impact. Looking back, I will tell you that when 46 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:50,560 I first began serving on city council, Sydney had the highest per capita 47 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:55,040 unemployment rate in the state of Ohio. When I left council 12 years later, we 48 00:03:53,120 --> 00:03:59,680 had the lowest per capita unemployment rate in the state. That dramatic 49 00:03:57,519 --> 00:04:04,239 turnaround was the result of the hard work of many in the community who are no 50 00:04:01,519 --> 00:04:08,720 longer with us and of course Japanese investment. I believe Shelby County is 51 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:12,879 stronger today because we welcomed Honda's investment and work through the 52 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:17,120 uncertainties together. I believe we have a similar opportunity with Amazon's 53 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:21,840 investment in our community. We should certainly ask thoughtful questions, 54 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:26,080 address legitimate concerns, and make sure we protect the things that make our 55 00:04:23,680 --> 00:04:31,120 community special. But we should also allow ourselves to consider the 56 00:04:27,840 --> 00:04:35,199 possibilities, not just the risks. We cannot know exactly what the next 40 57 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:40,000 years will bring. But our history reminds us that change, while sometimes 58 00:04:37,759 --> 00:04:45,919 uncomfortable, can also create opportunity, strengthen our community, 59 00:04:42,639 --> 00:04:52,160 and benefit generations to come. I believe Amazon's investment has a 60 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:55,199 potential to do exactly that. With those brief remarks, I'd like to turn this 61 00:04:53,680 --> 00:05:00,000 presentation over to the experts from Amazon and thank you again for being 62 00:04:57,440 --> 00:05:03,840 with us. >> Hello everyone. I'm Brandon Jones and 63 00:05:02,160 --> 00:05:07,840 I'm the regional operations leader for Ohio. Today I'm going to give you a 64 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:12,320 quick overview of data centers. A data center is a large-scale facility packed 65 00:05:09,840 --> 00:05:16,479 with servers, networking gear, and the power and cooling systems that keep all 66 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:21,120 of it running. Every time someone streams a movie, trains an AI model, 67 00:05:18,960 --> 00:05:25,120 processes a financial transaction, or stores medical records in the cloud, 68 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:30,960 that request gets handled inside one of these buildings. From helping to route, 69 00:05:27,919 --> 00:05:36,720 process, and connect over 240 million 911 calls every year to enabling online 70 00:05:34,479 --> 00:05:40,639 purchases and secure ebanking to facilitating critical government 71 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:44,639 services like delivering social security benefits to more than 70 million 72 00:05:42,479 --> 00:05:49,440 Americans or even streaming your favorite show. Data centers make all of 73 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:54,560 this possible. You probably watched Netflix last night. More than 325 74 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:58,800 million people subscribe globally. Nearly all of that service runs on AWS 75 00:05:57,039 --> 00:06:04,319 infrastructure maintained by our builders daily. Here's what happens when 76 00:06:01,199 --> 00:06:08,880 you press play. You tap a title on your TV. That request leaves your home, 77 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:13,120 travels through your internet service provider, and reaches a Netflix 78 00:06:10,800 --> 00:06:18,479 application running inside an AWS data center. Within milliseconds, Netflix's 79 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:22,960 software checks your account, generates personalized recommendations through 80 00:06:20,319 --> 00:06:27,520 machine learning models on AWS compute, and identifies the right video file, 81 00:06:25,280 --> 00:06:32,639 pre-enccoded into dozens of formats and resolutions using more than 100,000 82 00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:37,039 server instances. The touch of a button feels effortless, but behind every 83 00:06:34,720 --> 00:06:41,280 digital interaction is a data center, powering the connectivity, innovation, 84 00:06:39,039 --> 00:06:44,280 and economic growth that defines today's world. 85 00:06:46,400 --> 00:06:51,520 Folks, I'm Laura Markman. I'm a senior air quality engineer with AWS and I'm 86 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:55,919 here to talk to you about the air permitting aspect of this project in 87 00:06:53,360 --> 00:07:01,199 Sydney, Ohio. From an air permitting strategy perspective, we plan to permit 88 00:06:58,479 --> 00:07:06,319 this site as a synthetic minor source respect to PSD permitting. We will 89 00:07:03,680 --> 00:07:10,639 obtain a permit to install followed by a title 5 major source permit to operate 90 00:07:08,560 --> 00:07:15,599 from Ohio EPA Department of Air Pollution Control. With regards to the 91 00:07:13,199 --> 00:07:19,759 type of generators, we plan to install state-of-the-art tier 2 certified 92 00:07:17,680 --> 00:07:25,280 generators which will be fitted with tier 4 emissions control systems. 93 00:07:23,039 --> 00:07:30,319 All of these tier 2 critical emergency generators fitted with tier 4 emissions 94 00:07:28,160 --> 00:07:34,960 reduction technology will reduce emissions of criteria pollutants 95 00:07:32,319 --> 00:07:38,479 including NOx, VOCC's, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide from the 96 00:07:37,039 --> 00:07:41,759 facility. It's also really important to note that 97 00:07:40,160 --> 00:07:46,400 these generators are permitted as emergency backup generators and on 98 00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:52,800 average each of our emergency generators operate about 10 hours per year. We are 99 00:07:49,440 --> 00:07:56,319 not operating these generators 24/7, 365 days per year. 100 00:07:54,800 --> 00:08:01,840 The last point I'd like to draw your attention to is that based on a 2023 101 00:07:59,280 --> 00:08:05,759 study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, the study found that 102 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:10,479 even though data center facilities permit up to 250 tons per year, in 103 00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:15,599 reality, the operators of those facilities only emit approximately 7% of 104 00:08:13,199 --> 00:08:19,840 what those permits allow. And that's absolutely our intention for this 105 00:08:17,440 --> 00:08:24,319 particular site as well, to make sure we minimize emissions from our facility. 106 00:08:22,879 --> 00:08:28,960 Thank you very much for listening. Appreciate your time. 107 00:08:27,120 --> 00:08:33,839 » Hi, I'm Michael Mea, regional environmental engineer at AWS, and I'm 108 00:08:31,680 --> 00:08:39,120 here to touch on AWS's environmental permitting and mitigation strategy at 109 00:08:36,080 --> 00:08:44,399 this project site in Sydney, Ohio. I'd like to take a moment to speak on AWS's 110 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:49,200 commitment to environmental protection. Prior to site selection, Amazon conducts 111 00:08:47,120 --> 00:08:53,680 thorough assessments of evaluating wetlands, waterways, sensitive 112 00:08:51,600 --> 00:08:58,320 ecosystems, as well as protective species and their habitats. 113 00:08:56,320 --> 00:09:03,360 These findings directly shape site selection and design decisions, ensuring 114 00:09:01,360 --> 00:09:07,680 environmental impacts are avoided or reduced as much as possible, and all 115 00:09:05,760 --> 00:09:13,040 regulatory requirements are met from initial planning through the full data 116 00:09:09,680 --> 00:09:16,959 center life cycle. As part of AWS's efforts to minimize environmental 117 00:09:14,480 --> 00:09:23,040 impacts, we strive to avoid wetlands in a manner reasonable to site development. 118 00:09:19,839 --> 00:09:28,800 At current, AWS has designed to avoid over 61% of delineated wetland features 119 00:09:26,000 --> 00:09:34,640 and ponds at the site. Along with that, less than 0.18% of the entire project 120 00:09:31,680 --> 00:09:39,120 site will potentially impact wetlands. with wetland impacts. AWS has submitted 121 00:09:37,600 --> 00:09:43,440 for and received an approved jurisdictional determination, otherwise 122 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:49,120 known as AJ. An isolated wetland permit has also been 123 00:09:46,000 --> 00:09:53,920 submitted for in conjunction with AJ. AWS's wetland mitigation efforts to 124 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:58,320 preserve habitat within the area are aligned to all rules and regulations set 125 00:09:56,320 --> 00:10:02,160 forth by the applicable authority having jurisdiction. 126 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:08,160 As part of site development, Amazon will utilize native plantings across the site 127 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:12,800 to increase plant diversity and overall vegetative quantity. In line with 128 00:10:10,800 --> 00:10:17,120 preserving habitat, this project site will avoid all potential impacts to 129 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:21,839 threatened, endangered, and/or candidate species and their habitats. 130 00:10:19,519 --> 00:10:26,959 Thank you so much for listening. >> Hello everyone. Uh my name is Jafar 131 00:10:24,079 --> 00:10:33,040 Alcalaf. I'm an acoustic field engineer at AWS with over 10 years of experience 132 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:38,320 conducting environmental noise assessments. I'm here to present to you 133 00:10:35,839 --> 00:10:45,560 information about acoustics and the sound mitigation that AWS considers on 134 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:45,560 their data center sites. 135 00:10:46,640 --> 00:10:54,240 The main sources of operational sound from data centers are cooling and 136 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:58,000 ventilation equipment as well as backup generators. 137 00:10:56,079 --> 00:11:04,560 The cooling and ventilation equipment tends to be the primary source of noise 138 00:11:00,399 --> 00:11:09,600 concerns since it operates continuously. For backup generators, a common 139 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:16,399 misconception is that they operate 24/7 as well. However, backup generators are 140 00:11:13,680 --> 00:11:21,120 typically operated intermittently for short periods of time during testing and 141 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:25,680 maintenance and as presented previously are 142 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:30,160 generally expected to operate 10 hours or less per year. 143 00:11:28,240 --> 00:11:35,200 In addition to operational sound, temporary construction activities at a 144 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:40,399 campus produce sound that can affect nearby communities. 145 00:11:37,360 --> 00:11:46,680 Amazon contractors regularly apply best management practices to reduce 146 00:11:42,720 --> 00:11:46,680 construction noise impacts. 147 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:59,519 There has been a concern that multiple data centers will multiply sound, but 148 00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:04,640 the reality is that two data centers of equal sound would not result in a 149 00:12:02,320 --> 00:12:09,200 doubling of loudness. As part of this presentation, it is 150 00:12:06,880 --> 00:12:14,560 helpful to provide information regarding the science of sound. Sound is 151 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:21,120 characterized by pressure fluctuations in a medium, in this case, air. The 152 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:26,399 pressure levels vary enormously over the range of human hearing. And we use 153 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:32,320 decibb which operates on a lo logarithmic scale to compress the very 154 00:12:30,079 --> 00:12:38,079 wide range of pressures to a more manageable range of numbers. 155 00:12:35,680 --> 00:12:47,440 The decibb logarithmic scale changes the map from we what we typically know. 156 00:12:41,360 --> 00:12:56,800 Uh for example 50 dB plus 50 dB is equal to 53 dB not 100 dB. And that three 157 00:12:52,880 --> 00:13:02,240 decibel increase is just perceivable. 10 times the number of noise sources 158 00:12:59,200 --> 00:13:07,440 results in a 10 decel increase compared to a single source. 159 00:13:04,800 --> 00:13:13,920 And that 10 decel increase is perceived as a doubling of sound. To recap, it 160 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:18,560 would take 10 of the same sources essentially stacked on top of each other 161 00:13:16,480 --> 00:13:22,639 to result in a doubling of perceived loudness. 162 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:28,320 The chart on the right of this screen presents common outdoor sound levels. 163 00:13:26,079 --> 00:13:33,600 Similar charts can be found at many sites, including the EPA's website and 164 00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:36,600 the Federal Transmit Administration's website. 165 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:45,519 Amazon designs and operates their data centers in compliance with all local 166 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:50,800 sound ordinances. This site will be in compliance with the city of Sydney's 167 00:13:47,600 --> 00:13:56,399 code of ordinances that has established sound level limits for specific zoning 168 00:13:53,279 --> 00:14:02,959 designations and Amazon will strive to do better than regulatory requirements 169 00:13:59,279 --> 00:14:08,720 in order to be a good community member. Uh using conservative summertime cooling 170 00:14:06,160 --> 00:14:14,399 assumptions when equipment is expected to operate at peak capacity, 171 00:14:11,519 --> 00:14:22,720 Amazon has designed the site to operate in the mid40s to low 50s dB at the 172 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:27,519 nearest residential property boundaries. Most of the time, especially during 173 00:14:24,880 --> 00:14:33,440 cooler seasons, the sound levels are expected to be even lower. 174 00:14:30,800 --> 00:14:39,040 Mitigation is identified for each campus on a sidebyside basis and a buildingby 175 00:14:36,639 --> 00:14:44,160 building basis. Each site has particular characteristics 176 00:14:41,839 --> 00:14:50,240 that affect how the noise travels to offsite communities including the design 177 00:14:47,519 --> 00:14:55,519 and orientation of the buildings, the intervening land and ground types, 178 00:14:52,959 --> 00:14:59,199 terrain, and potential intervening development. 179 00:14:57,120 --> 00:15:04,560 These specific characteristics are considered in the noise assessments 180 00:15:00,959 --> 00:15:09,279 conducted for each site. Amazon is one of the only hyperscalers with a 181 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:15,440 dedicated acoustic program and specialized engineering team for solving 182 00:15:12,240 --> 00:15:19,680 data center sound challenges. We also use experienced outside noise 183 00:15:17,839 --> 00:15:26,560 consultants for conducting the noise assessments for each site. 184 00:15:23,040 --> 00:15:33,360 uh on a siteby-sight basis, Amazon is proactive about mitigation strategies to 185 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:39,839 reduce not only overall sound levels but also low frequency and tonal sound 186 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:44,800 characteristics to ensure comprehensive sound quality management 187 00:15:42,240 --> 00:15:49,519 at this site. Noise control measures include sound damping building materials 188 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:55,600 and insulation, strategic placement of equipment, 189 00:15:52,320 --> 00:16:00,800 visual screening and generator acoustic enclosures and others. 190 00:15:57,680 --> 00:16:05,519 » My name is Nick Andresik. I manage a team of construction managers for 191 00:16:03,279 --> 00:16:12,000 Amazon. I'm going to be talking about our plans for design and construction of 192 00:16:07,680 --> 00:16:16,320 these facilities here in Sydney. Our construction will take place in four 193 00:16:14,079 --> 00:16:20,639 distinct phases. In the first phase, we'll clear and grade the land and build 194 00:16:18,320 --> 00:16:24,880 the foundation for the data centers. Then from there, we'll erect the 195 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:29,279 physical structure of the data centers. The most complex phase is what comes 196 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:34,560 next. Uh the interior fit out is when we install the power distribution systems, 197 00:16:31,360 --> 00:16:39,519 the cooling systems, cable pathways, and more that transforms the empty shells 198 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:43,360 into a functioning data center. Last but not least, we test every system to 199 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:48,800 ensure resilience before handing over to our operations team to keep the data 200 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:52,880 center going. When we work to build out these data center campuses, we're 201 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:58,320 typically handing over some of these buildings in phases to our operations 202 00:16:55,440 --> 00:17:02,959 team. Um throughout the buildout of the campus as we're handing over different 203 00:17:00,399 --> 00:17:07,679 phases to our operations team and the site logistics change, we're always 204 00:17:05,280 --> 00:17:13,280 making sure to communicate extensively with the city uh so that the city of 205 00:17:10,319 --> 00:17:17,520 Sydney in this case will understand uh which sides of the site are entrances 206 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:21,679 for the operation side or the construction site. Um, that way the city 207 00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:25,280 always has a good strong understanding of what we're doing on the site and if 208 00:17:23,679 --> 00:17:29,280 they ever need access to the site or want to come see the site, uh, they have 209 00:17:27,439 --> 00:17:32,280 the ability to to get where they need to go. 210 00:17:32,480 --> 00:17:38,400 Each phase of the construction process will have different equipment used, 211 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:42,160 working hours, and number of workers required on site. But through each 212 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:46,960 phase, we'll prioritize things like minimizing road congestion through 213 00:17:44,559 --> 00:17:51,200 staggered shifts and early starts and using mitigations to minimize dirt and 214 00:17:49,760 --> 00:17:55,840 debris. And throughout the whole construction process, we'll continue to 215 00:17:53,200 --> 00:18:00,240 focus on visual design efforts to ensure our landscaping and campus is consistent 216 00:17:58,320 --> 00:18:06,240 with the surrounding community. Throughout our other campuses in Ohio, 217 00:18:02,799 --> 00:18:11,039 we've been making a lot of efforts to minimize uh the impact of our 218 00:18:08,640 --> 00:18:16,720 construction uh on the community around us. A really common strategy is that we 219 00:18:14,480 --> 00:18:23,120 like to bring in third parties to provide feedback to us um and to walk 220 00:18:19,760 --> 00:18:27,360 our sites with us and provide call outs to our general contractor and to the 221 00:18:24,880 --> 00:18:32,080 Amazon construction team so that we can make sure to get a third party opinion 222 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:38,799 to take quick action to make sure we're doing everything we can uh to have uh to 223 00:18:35,919 --> 00:18:44,480 minimize the impact on uh the areas around the construction site. 224 00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:49,039 Hi everyone, I'm Zach Ferrara, a senior data center design manager at Amazon. 225 00:18:47,360 --> 00:18:54,600 I'll be sharing some renderings of what the project will look like once 226 00:18:50,799 --> 00:18:54,600 construction is complete. 227 00:18:56,000 --> 00:19:03,120 On this slide, you can see an aerial view of the site. While dimensions and 228 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:07,679 specific landscaping shown are not 100% accurate, this provides a good depiction 229 00:19:05,039 --> 00:19:12,799 of the site layout. Now, to help you get your bearings, on 230 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:18,400 the right side of your screen is South Vandermark Road 231 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:22,039 and on the bottom of the screen is West Mil Creek Road. 232 00:19:22,320 --> 00:19:30,320 The primary entrance to our campus is off of West Mil Creek Road. Here, 233 00:19:28,240 --> 00:19:35,840 immediately upon entering the campus, there is a security gate and a security 234 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:43,000 building. Above that are some administrative 235 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:43,000 buildings and a parking area. 236 00:19:43,360 --> 00:19:50,160 And above that are eight data center buildings. The smallest of which is 237 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:58,120 here. And then seven of uniform size here. 238 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:58,120 Seven data centers. 239 00:19:59,200 --> 00:20:04,600 Down here you'll see an on-site utility substation. 240 00:20:05,760 --> 00:20:17,280 and three storm water basins. One here, one here, and one here. 241 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:23,600 All surrounded by landscaping. On the left side of your screen, there's 242 00:20:19,360 --> 00:20:29,600 an elevated landscaped mound. And this was created to serve as a 243 00:20:25,679 --> 00:20:34,520 buffer between our data center campus and the neighboring residential 244 00:20:31,520 --> 00:20:34,520 properties. 245 00:20:34,720 --> 00:20:41,520 I'll also note that we've performed detailed traffic studies for periods 246 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:47,360 both during construction and after construction and we're working closely 247 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:53,400 with the city and ODOT to implement improvements to help with construction 248 00:20:49,360 --> 00:20:53,400 traffic during peak times. 249 00:20:55,520 --> 00:21:03,120 On this next slide, you can see a 3D rendering of one of the data center 250 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:09,600 buildings. On the bottom, you'll see the side with our electrical transformers 251 00:21:06,400 --> 00:21:13,480 and our generators in their enclosures connected to the building. 252 00:21:13,600 --> 00:21:19,679 On the other side of the building, there's a few water tanks. There will be 253 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:24,400 parking and a main entrance to the building. 254 00:21:22,480 --> 00:21:30,080 As far as the layout of the building, the center houses some offices and 255 00:21:27,840 --> 00:21:34,320 administrative spaces and then on each side of the building 256 00:21:31,919 --> 00:21:38,880 there's a data hall and the data hall is where the racks of electronic equipment 257 00:21:36,559 --> 00:21:44,159 reside. Hi everyone, I'm Sergio Chima, an energy 258 00:21:41,600 --> 00:21:47,760 project manager on the team. I manage the substation builds and utility 259 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:52,720 partnerships that connect our data centers to the grid. It's great to be 260 00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:56,799 here. I know data center power is a topic a lot of people are thinking and 261 00:21:54,480 --> 00:22:00,720 asking about right now. So today I want to walk through it openly. How much 262 00:21:58,720 --> 00:22:05,440 power these facilities actually need, how efficiently we run them, how we keep 263 00:22:02,960 --> 00:22:10,280 critical services online, and what our partnership with the utility means for 264 00:22:07,039 --> 00:22:10,280 this community. 265 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:17,200 Let me explain how our relationship with utility works because it's structured to 266 00:22:14,880 --> 00:22:23,360 be a win for everyone in the region, not just Amazon. First, we're coming in as a 267 00:22:20,880 --> 00:22:27,280 customer under a regulated tariff. Amazon will be a large customer of the 268 00:22:25,200 --> 00:22:31,200 utility taking power at the transmission level. Because this is a regulated 269 00:22:29,520 --> 00:22:35,039 arrangement, it comes with built-in protections for existing utility 270 00:22:32,960 --> 00:22:39,200 customers. So, residential and commercial rate payers in the area 271 00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:43,679 aren't absorbing the cost of serving our load. The diagram on the right shows 272 00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:47,280 where we sit. We're pulling power from the high voltage transmission system 273 00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:52,720 upstream of the local distribution network. that serves homes and 274 00:22:49,200 --> 00:22:58,240 businesses. Second, we pay for the transmission upgrades we drive. AWS 275 00:22:56,240 --> 00:23:02,320 funds the transmission subsystem upgrades needed to bring our campuses 276 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:07,840 online. And we don't just fund the substations. We build, own, and operate 277 00:23:04,960 --> 00:23:12,000 them ourselves. That means we carry the capital cost and the operational 278 00:23:09,760 --> 00:23:17,520 responsibility for the infrastructure that directly serves our facilities. 279 00:23:15,200 --> 00:23:22,080 Third, we contribute beyond our own footprint. On top of the infrastructure 280 00:23:19,679 --> 00:23:26,159 dedicated to us, we contribute toward broader systemwide upgrades and 281 00:23:24,720 --> 00:23:30,240 reinforcement of existing infrastructure. Those investments 282 00:23:27,919 --> 00:23:35,360 improve grid reliability for all customers on the utility systems. 283 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:40,559 So, our presence help strengthen the grid the whole community depends on. 284 00:23:38,000 --> 00:23:45,440 Bottom line, you know, we're a large, stable, long-term load that pays its own 285 00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:50,000 way, funds its own connection, and invests in the shared grid, all under a 286 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:53,559 regulated framework designed to protect existing customers. 287 00:23:55,440 --> 00:24:01,600 First, reliability. The new assets we build to serve our facilities don't just 288 00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:05,200 serve Amazon. They're shown to strengthen the resilience and 289 00:24:03,280 --> 00:24:09,280 reliability of the broader community's energy system. When we invest in modern 290 00:24:07,919 --> 00:24:13,520 transmission and substation infrastructure, that hardening benefits 291 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:18,960 everyone on the grid, not just our campuses. Second, energy efficiency. 292 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:23,440 Amazon operates some of the most efficient data centers in the world. Our 293 00:24:21,520 --> 00:24:29,520 facilities run at a power usage effectiveness or PUE score of 1.15. To 294 00:24:27,520 --> 00:24:35,679 put that in context, a perfect score is 1.0 and the industry average sits around 295 00:24:32,480 --> 00:24:39,760 1.25. So we're operating very close to the theoretical best and meaningfully 296 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:44,720 better than the typical data center. That efficiency means we get more useful 297 00:24:42,080 --> 00:24:50,640 computing out of every unit of energy we draw. Third, carbon-f free energy. 298 00:24:48,159 --> 00:24:55,600 Amazon is one of the biggest corporate purchasers of carbon-f free energy 299 00:24:53,039 --> 00:25:00,320 across all of our operations and we take this seriously and we've contracted 300 00:24:57,760 --> 00:25:05,200 hundreds of CF projects worldwide. And this isn't just a global story. Right 301 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:11,360 here in Ohio, we've contracted 24 wind and solar projects that will add a total 302 00:25:08,080 --> 00:25:17,840 of 2.7 gawatts of capacity, enough to power more than 520,000 homes in Ohio. 303 00:25:14,960 --> 00:25:22,960 That's direct local investment that adds clean generation to the regional grid. 304 00:25:20,799 --> 00:25:27,200 The takeaway, we're not just consuming power. We're helping make the global 305 00:25:24,640 --> 00:25:30,480 grid more reliable. We're using energy as efficiently as anyone in the 306 00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:36,360 industry. And we're actively investing in clean energy in the communities where 307 00:25:33,120 --> 00:25:36,360 we operate. 308 00:25:36,880 --> 00:25:44,480 Let me address backup generators. Who they protect, how rarely they run, and 309 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:49,600 where they actually fit in our design. First, who depends on this? Amazon data 310 00:25:47,440 --> 00:25:54,720 centers serve millions of customers, including hospitals, first responders, 311 00:25:52,720 --> 00:26:01,039 energy systems, and national security agencies. Functions that require 312 00:25:57,360 --> 00:26:05,120 uninterrupted 247 operation. When you're supporting life-saving care and critical 313 00:26:03,039 --> 00:26:09,200 infrastructure, there's no acceptable amount of downtime. 314 00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:13,279 Generators are actually our last line of defense, not our first. It's worth 315 00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:17,360 understanding that we design for reliability in layers. We start with 316 00:26:15,200 --> 00:26:23,200 redundant utility feeds so a single utility failure doesn't take us down. Be 317 00:26:20,159 --> 00:26:28,000 behind that battery systems provide instant power to bridge the brief gap 318 00:26:25,440 --> 00:26:32,720 during any transfer. Generators sit behind both of those. They're the 319 00:26:30,000 --> 00:26:37,360 emergency backups back stop that only comes into play if the earlier layers 320 00:26:35,039 --> 00:26:42,559 are exhausted. So by the time a generator is needed, multiple safeguards 321 00:26:39,840 --> 00:26:45,919 have already done their job. And that's why they run so rarely 322 00:26:44,159 --> 00:26:50,799 because they're an emergencyonly resource. Each generator runs minimally. 323 00:26:48,799 --> 00:26:56,240 And almost all of that limited runtime is required maintenance and reliability 324 00:26:53,120 --> 00:27:00,320 testing, not actual outages. Grid disruptions are rare events. The 325 00:26:58,000 --> 00:27:05,760 generators simply stand in reserve for the moment that they might be needed. 326 00:27:03,520 --> 00:27:09,520 And they're clean and compliant. Our emergency generators meet the same 327 00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:13,919 emission standard as modern highway trucks. and they their use and 328 00:27:11,679 --> 00:27:18,559 maintenance comply with all applicable state and federal regulations. They're 329 00:27:16,240 --> 00:27:22,720 well-maintained, permitted, and monitored. The bottom line is that 330 00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:27,360 generators exist to protect the hospitals, first responders, and 331 00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:31,760 critical services that depend on us. They're the final safeguard in a 332 00:27:28,960 --> 00:27:37,559 multi-layered system used rarely, held to modern emission standards, and 333 00:27:33,440 --> 00:27:37,559 operated in full compliance. 334 00:27:42,720 --> 00:27:49,760 Hi everyone. Thank you all for being here. Uh my name is Ibrahim Aes and I am 335 00:27:47,520 --> 00:27:55,720 a water infrastructure manager at Amazon and I'll be going over why and how data 336 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:55,720 centers use water. 337 00:27:55,840 --> 00:28:01,760 We use water for different reasons. Obviously there are the people who are 338 00:27:59,520 --> 00:28:06,799 operating the data centers and they have their domestic needs. We also have water 339 00:28:04,399 --> 00:28:12,080 for fire suppression. The one we get the most questions about though is water for 340 00:28:08,880 --> 00:28:16,399 cooling. There's a misconception amongst people that all data centers use the 341 00:28:13,840 --> 00:28:20,080 same amount of cooling water. One thing I want you to take away from this 342 00:28:17,760 --> 00:28:24,399 conversation is that is a misconception. Just like cars that don't have the same 343 00:28:22,320 --> 00:28:29,919 fuel efficiency, data centers also differ in their water efficiency. We are 344 00:28:27,679 --> 00:28:35,840 here at Amazon are very proud of how we use water that leads to industry-leading 345 00:28:33,120 --> 00:28:40,640 water efficiency. Data center water use for cooling is a function of three 346 00:28:38,399 --> 00:28:45,840 things. Number one, it's a function of how you operate the data center. Two, 347 00:28:43,440 --> 00:28:50,640 climate conditions. And three, what type of technology is used? We use highly 348 00:28:48,720 --> 00:28:55,679 efficient cooling technology where we only need water for only a fraction of 349 00:28:52,799 --> 00:28:59,600 the year. Now, as I mentioned, our data centers 350 00:28:57,440 --> 00:29:05,760 are highly water efficient. And in Sydney, we will be using outside air for 351 00:29:02,080 --> 00:29:11,279 cooling 97% of the time and only use water 3% of the year when the outside 352 00:29:08,559 --> 00:29:15,760 air is too warm to cool the servers. The cooling process is similar to a cooling 353 00:29:13,840 --> 00:29:21,120 towel where some of the water that evaporates and the air gets cooled. 354 00:29:18,559 --> 00:29:26,000 Using water for cooling allows our data centers to reduce power consumption on 355 00:29:23,360 --> 00:29:30,279 the hottest of days of the year by around 25 to 35%. 356 00:29:30,799 --> 00:29:36,960 Amazon's data centers have high standards for water efficiency. In fact, 357 00:29:34,480 --> 00:29:41,760 we use seven times less water than the industry average for data centers with a 358 00:29:39,039 --> 00:29:47,840 water efficiency rate of 12 L per kilowatt hour at full buildout of seven 359 00:29:45,279 --> 00:29:51,919 data centers in Sydney. We are projected to use approximately 5 million gallons 360 00:29:50,000 --> 00:29:56,880 of water per year, which is significantly less than a typical golf 361 00:29:54,480 --> 00:30:01,399 course, which uses around 21 million gallons per year to water its lawns. 362 00:30:01,760 --> 00:30:07,279 Now, sustainability is a top priority for Amazon. As we build infrastructure 363 00:30:05,919 --> 00:30:11,600 that will power our lives for generations, we've made a commitment to 364 00:30:09,760 --> 00:30:17,200 return more water to our communities than we use in our direct operations by 365 00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:21,760 2030. Our water positive projects in Ohio include partnering with the Nature 366 00:30:19,200 --> 00:30:27,840 Nature Conservancy and others to restore 11 acres of wetlands in Ohio. The 367 00:30:25,120 --> 00:30:33,760 project is expected to filter 77 million gallons of water each year. Amazon is 368 00:30:31,120 --> 00:30:39,039 75% of the way to achieving our water positive goal. In 2025, we returned 369 00:30:36,799 --> 00:30:43,840 three gallons for every four gallons we had used. And we've announced over 50 370 00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:51,320 water projects that are expected to return over 5.8 8 billion gallons 371 00:30:47,200 --> 00:30:51,320 annually once fully implemented. 372 00:30:53,200 --> 00:30:58,880 Once operational, our project in Sydney will be fully connected to the existing 373 00:30:56,720 --> 00:31:02,799 municipal water supply and sanitary sanitary sewer infrastructure, 374 00:31:01,120 --> 00:31:07,679 eliminating the need for on-site groundwater extraction for private or 375 00:31:05,120 --> 00:31:11,760 septic systems. This means our operations will not rely on groundwater 376 00:31:10,080 --> 00:31:16,960 withdrawals that could affect local aquifer levels, well yields, or 377 00:31:14,480 --> 00:31:20,799 groundwater flow conditions. We will be using water from the city of Sydney's 378 00:31:18,559 --> 00:31:25,679 public water system, which gets its supply from multiple sources, including 379 00:31:23,760 --> 00:31:30,080 groundwater wells, the Great Miami River, and Tawa Creek. The city's 380 00:31:28,399 --> 00:31:34,559 existing water system has sufficient capacity to support our existing needs 381 00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:39,279 and for any planned growth from project like ours. No additional water or sewer 382 00:31:37,519 --> 00:31:43,440 infrastructure is needed to serve our data center project within Sydney 383 00:31:41,760 --> 00:31:47,600 because the existing infrastructure can accommodate all of our needs. This means 384 00:31:45,600 --> 00:31:51,760 our development will not have any impact on rateayers bills in any way and that 385 00:31:50,080 --> 00:31:54,760 is far from what we are looking to have happen. 386 00:31:55,919 --> 00:32:02,240 » Hi everyone, I'm Coy Robersonson, community engagement manager. I'm here 387 00:32:00,399 --> 00:32:06,720 to talk about Amazon's community engagement efforts. It's important for 388 00:32:04,480 --> 00:32:10,720 us to use our scale and resources to strengthen communities where we operate 389 00:32:08,799 --> 00:32:15,519 and to dedicate resources to make improvements in areas that matter most 390 00:32:12,799 --> 00:32:19,760 to you all. We are ramping up to work closely with local organizations, 391 00:32:17,600 --> 00:32:24,159 nonprofits, schools, and community members across Sydney to better 392 00:32:21,679 --> 00:32:28,640 understand your needs and find ways to contribute in a way that is both 393 00:32:25,679 --> 00:32:34,799 thoughtful and impactful. Our community engagement efforts are anchored by four 394 00:32:30,880 --> 00:32:40,080 key pillars. First, STEM education. We collaborate extensively with K through2 395 00:32:37,200 --> 00:32:45,440 school districts on science, technology, energy, excuse me, engineering, arts, 396 00:32:42,799 --> 00:32:50,960 and mathematical education initiatives. Our think big STEM education programming 397 00:32:47,919 --> 00:32:55,120 includes our think big spaces. These are dedicated learning spaces and labs built 398 00:32:53,120 --> 00:33:00,000 in a school or community center where students can explore cloud computing and 399 00:32:57,279 --> 00:33:04,480 technology. We also have a mobile version of these facilities with 400 00:33:01,679 --> 00:33:09,120 dedicated facilitators who will deliver STEM education and conduct training in 401 00:33:06,640 --> 00:33:13,519 local schools. These aren't one-time events. They are sustained programs 402 00:33:11,760 --> 00:33:19,519 designed to open doors for the next generation. We have already opened 24 403 00:33:16,960 --> 00:33:24,880 think big spaces in Ohio in the communities where we operate. 404 00:33:21,919 --> 00:33:28,960 Second, skills training initiatives. We invest in workforce development programs 405 00:33:26,880 --> 00:33:33,600 designed to help individuals gain the skills needed for careers in cloud 406 00:33:31,279 --> 00:33:37,120 computing and infrastructure. By collaborating with local education 407 00:33:35,360 --> 00:33:41,919 institutions and community organizations, we'll continue to create 408 00:33:39,279 --> 00:33:47,440 opportunities for students, job seekers, and career changers to build in- demand 409 00:33:44,640 --> 00:33:52,240 skills. Sustainability. We are committed to environmental 410 00:33:49,440 --> 00:33:57,279 stewardship, working toward 100% renewable energy and net zerocarbon 411 00:33:54,640 --> 00:34:01,120 emissions. At a local level, we will make efforts to hear from you on what 412 00:33:59,360 --> 00:34:05,519 you would most like to see across Sydney. But what we've delivered to date 413 00:34:03,919 --> 00:34:10,079 to communities across the country include everything from planting trees 414 00:34:07,840 --> 00:34:15,679 for canopy, rehabilitating community gardens for education and food sources, 415 00:34:12,879 --> 00:34:20,079 creating new green spaces, solar builds for local community buildings and smart 416 00:34:17,839 --> 00:34:25,520 wetland projects. Fourth, hyperloal impact. This again 417 00:34:23,440 --> 00:34:30,560 meaning means listening to what the community needs. We will support 418 00:34:28,240 --> 00:34:34,879 organizations, community-driven projects that address the priorities that you 419 00:34:32,720 --> 00:34:39,919 identify. Whether that is supporting local nonprofit organizations, disaster 420 00:34:37,520 --> 00:34:44,720 relief efforts, sponsoring local festivals and events, volunteering at 421 00:34:42,240 --> 00:34:48,480 the local food bank, improving access to education, healthcare, and basic 422 00:34:46,639 --> 00:34:52,560 resources, or building a new playground for the young people. 423 00:34:50,560 --> 00:34:56,480 Amazon has partnered with the community fund, the community foundation of Shelby 424 00:34:54,879 --> 00:35:01,119 County and will host a community engagement meet and greet in Sydney open 425 00:34:58,880 --> 00:35:06,560 to community organizations around Shelby County. We are also welcome working 426 00:35:03,680 --> 00:35:12,000 together to launch a $100,000 community fund that will open on September 17th, 427 00:35:09,760 --> 00:35:15,520 2026. For more information, visit the 428 00:35:13,760 --> 00:35:18,520 Community Foundation of Shelby County website. 429 00:35:20,480 --> 00:35:26,400 Hi everyone, great to be here. I'm John Workman, economic development manager 430 00:35:24,240 --> 00:35:30,880 for AWS. And today I'm going to talk about exciting economic development and 431 00:35:28,560 --> 00:35:34,880 workforce opportunities coming to Sydney as a result of the data center 432 00:35:32,240 --> 00:35:39,760 development. We plan to invest $3 billion and create 433 00:35:37,280 --> 00:35:43,920 at least 75 direct jobs as a result of the project. But beyond job creation, 434 00:35:42,320 --> 00:35:47,520 our investment will create economic benefits for the city community. 435 00:35:46,160 --> 00:35:52,000 Amazon's agreement with the city includes $50 million in direct payments 436 00:35:50,000 --> 00:35:56,880 that school and city leaders can direct towards priorities like fixing roads, 437 00:35:54,240 --> 00:36:00,320 investing in public safety, and more. Additionally, the data centers will 438 00:35:58,560 --> 00:36:04,400 support hundreds more jobs during the construction phase and across the data 439 00:36:02,480 --> 00:36:08,560 center supply chain and in the local community. 440 00:36:06,880 --> 00:36:12,480 As part of our commitment to building a pipeline of local talent, Amazon 441 00:36:10,640 --> 00:36:16,240 partners with local education and workforce development organizations in 442 00:36:14,160 --> 00:36:20,720 the community to help them align their efforts to the demand for cloud 443 00:36:17,920 --> 00:36:24,720 computing and infrastructure talent. The expansion of cloud computing technology 444 00:36:22,560 --> 00:36:29,760 over the last decades has resulted in an explosion of demand in talent and our 445 00:36:27,599 --> 00:36:33,760 team's role is to translate that growth in demand into opportunity for learners 446 00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:38,720 and job seekers in the communities where we build. Just like here in Sydney, as 447 00:36:36,880 --> 00:36:42,160 Brandon mentioned earlier, this demand is continuing to be created by all the 448 00:36:40,480 --> 00:36:47,119 things you can do on your phone, tablet, and laptops. All sectors of the economy 449 00:36:44,960 --> 00:36:51,760 are either born in the cloud or running cloud computing work streams. Those 450 00:36:49,680 --> 00:36:56,079 customers require data centers to carry their loads and that's where we focus on 451 00:36:54,160 --> 00:37:02,400 the demand for talent at the physical layer of the technology stack. 452 00:36:59,680 --> 00:37:07,280 We bucket that demand, thousands of jobs and roles into four functional areas. 453 00:37:05,280 --> 00:37:14,400 Building data centers, connecting them with fiber, providing them with power, 454 00:37:09,920 --> 00:37:18,320 and operating and maintaining them. The jobs that you see here on this slide 455 00:37:16,480 --> 00:37:22,560 are just a small cross-section of the roles related to that important work. 456 00:37:20,560 --> 00:37:27,119 The overwhelming majority of those these roles, the high demand careers are with 457 00:37:24,560 --> 00:37:32,320 our vendors and contractors. But at Amazon, we also have a robust demand for 458 00:37:29,440 --> 00:37:37,359 talent. As of the end of 2025, we've hired over 1,500 full-time employees in 459 00:37:34,880 --> 00:37:42,400 the state of Ohio with over $160 million in annual payroll to support our ongoing 460 00:37:40,160 --> 00:37:46,160 data center operations. What we think about is how to translate 461 00:37:44,240 --> 00:37:49,920 that demand into opportunity for residents. Our solution is to work with 462 00:37:48,480 --> 00:37:53,440 the local education and workforce development organizations in the region 463 00:37:51,599 --> 00:37:57,839 to help make sure those two things are aligned. 464 00:37:56,320 --> 00:38:01,680 This work has been going on for many years in Ohio and cuts across three 465 00:37:59,839 --> 00:38:05,040 different dimensions. Preparing instructors and making sure they are 466 00:38:03,280 --> 00:38:09,440 fluent and well-versed in industry technologies. Working with educators and 467 00:38:07,599 --> 00:38:12,880 workforce development program developers to make sure what students are learning 468 00:38:11,119 --> 00:38:16,640 is authentic and reflects what they will need when they enter the workforce. And 469 00:38:15,040 --> 00:38:20,000 making sure the facilities where the learning happens are equipped with the 470 00:38:18,079 --> 00:38:24,480 tools and equipment job seekers will need. As you can tell from the roles 471 00:38:22,400 --> 00:38:29,040 previously discussed, many of these are hands-on and skills trade-based roles 472 00:38:27,200 --> 00:38:35,520 where we think about managing electrical systems, mechanical systems, HVAC, fiber 473 00:38:33,040 --> 00:38:41,200 optic technology. So, we make sure the equipment they are learning on reflects 474 00:38:37,280 --> 00:38:45,359 what they will use on the job. AWS partners with organizations across 475 00:38:43,359 --> 00:38:50,079 Ohio to deliver skills-based training that prepares people for careers in data 476 00:38:47,440 --> 00:38:54,560 center operations. Our programs include the data center operations program, the 477 00:38:52,480 --> 00:38:58,720 AWS Academy cloud computing curriculum with Columbus State Community College, 478 00:38:56,640 --> 00:39:03,200 and workbased learning pathways that connect participants to internships and 479 00:39:00,560 --> 00:39:07,599 entry-level roles. To address the growing need for fiber skilled talent, 480 00:39:05,119 --> 00:39:12,000 AWS and Sumattomo Electric Lightwave co-hosted fiber optic fusion splicing 481 00:39:09,839 --> 00:39:16,800 certificate courses during Ohio's first ever fiber broadband awareness week. 482 00:39:14,720 --> 00:39:20,160 During these free two-day courses organized in conjunction with Tols 483 00:39:18,400 --> 00:39:24,880 Career and Technical Center, Sinclair Community College, the Past Foundation, 484 00:39:22,400 --> 00:39:29,200 and Team Fishial, participants were able to get hands-on skills for fiber optic 485 00:39:27,040 --> 00:39:33,520 installation and repair, plus a career networking session with some of those in 486 00:39:30,640 --> 00:39:37,119 the industry. AWS also introduced a fiber optic technician course at the 487 00:39:35,200 --> 00:39:41,920 National Center for Urban Solutions, helping graduates earn certifications 488 00:39:39,200 --> 00:39:45,599 and connect with broadband employers. Building on this momentum, we have 489 00:39:43,440 --> 00:39:50,240 launched two more initiatives. The information infrastructure workshop for 490 00:39:47,359 --> 00:39:53,520 educators or I2W, which gives central Ohio educators insight into cloud 491 00:39:52,160 --> 00:39:57,119 infrastructure careers so they can better guide students and the 492 00:39:55,520 --> 00:40:02,560 information infrastructure pre-apprenticeship program or I2PA, 493 00:39:59,839 --> 00:40:07,280 which is a 120 hour paid program for individuals with limited prior 494 00:40:04,079 --> 00:40:11,680 experience. I2PA offers instruction from local contractors in fiber optics, 495 00:40:09,440 --> 00:40:15,280 mechanical systems, and electrical work. At Tolse Tech, participants earned 496 00:40:13,599 --> 00:40:19,760 industry credentials and attended a job fair with AWS and contractor hiring 497 00:40:17,520 --> 00:40:23,520 managers, connecting technical training directly to career opportunities in 498 00:40:21,200 --> 00:40:26,720 cloud computing. We look forward to working closely with the Sydney 499 00:40:24,720 --> 00:40:30,200 community to advance these economic and workforce opportunities. 500 00:40:33,200 --> 00:40:39,920 Thank you to our Amazon team for their wonderful presentations. I hope that the 501 00:40:38,000 --> 00:40:45,920 experts were able to provide everyone valuable insights on the project. 502 00:40:43,839 --> 00:40:50,640 As promised, we would like to address your questions. We received a lot of 503 00:40:48,560 --> 00:40:55,680 questions during the registration. to make sure that we cover as much as 504 00:40:52,640 --> 00:41:00,880 possible. We're we have decided to group our questions into to the top themes 505 00:40:57,760 --> 00:41:06,160 we've heard most frequently from you. I have John here with me now and we will 506 00:41:03,520 --> 00:41:10,400 bring in Abraham shortly to address your water related questions. So John, let's 507 00:41:08,720 --> 00:41:14,400 get started. One of the first things we heard from 508 00:41:11,920 --> 00:41:20,240 the community was about energy. Specifically, how is Amazon working with 509 00:41:16,960 --> 00:41:25,599 AES to ensure grid reliability is maintained? Um, and that the 510 00:41:22,800 --> 00:41:30,079 infrastructure costs aren't passed over to the residential customers. 511 00:41:28,079 --> 00:41:34,400 Great question, Caroline. The short answer is that Amazon pays its own way. 512 00:41:32,240 --> 00:41:38,560 Uh, any new transmission or distribution infrastructure for our project is 513 00:41:36,560 --> 00:41:42,480 entirely funded by Amazon, not by the rateayers. Um, residential customers 514 00:41:40,800 --> 00:41:46,319 will not see rate increases as a result of our project. And the way that we do 515 00:41:44,640 --> 00:41:50,720 that is that we work closely with the utility provider, in this case AES Ohio, 516 00:41:48,880 --> 00:41:55,520 and also the overall interconnection grid through PJM to model the load 517 00:41:53,359 --> 00:41:59,760 impacts well before we come online and before our facilities ramp up power 518 00:41:57,280 --> 00:42:03,920 demand. Um, we ramp up gradually, so there's no sudden strain on the system. 519 00:42:01,920 --> 00:42:07,040 Um, grid reliability for existing customers is really a baseline 520 00:42:05,200 --> 00:42:10,240 requirement for us, not an afterthought. So, it's something that we're thinking 521 00:42:08,160 --> 00:42:13,359 about on the front end. Um, and as Sergio mentioned earlier, Amazon is one 522 00:42:12,079 --> 00:42:17,359 of the largest corporate purchasers of renewable energy, committed to powering 523 00:42:15,280 --> 00:42:20,880 our operations of 100% renewable energy, which supports long-term grid 524 00:42:19,119 --> 00:42:24,400 diversification and energy resilience for the entire region. So, you know, 525 00:42:23,119 --> 00:42:29,599 essentially in the end, we'll end up providing benefits for all customers. 526 00:42:27,680 --> 00:42:35,520 » Thanks, John. That's really helpful. Staying on the economic side, beyond the 527 00:42:32,240 --> 00:42:40,160 de direct positions, how does Amazon investment support broader economic 528 00:42:37,920 --> 00:42:44,240 impact in the county? >> Yeah, and this is obviously my bread and 529 00:42:42,480 --> 00:42:47,200 butter. So, building on what I covered in our economic development segment, I 530 00:42:45,920 --> 00:42:50,000 mean, the direct jobs that we're talking about really are just the starting 531 00:42:48,400 --> 00:42:53,280 point. Um, what I really want to highlight is the multiplier effect this 532 00:42:51,599 --> 00:42:58,319 project is going to create. Our investment generates ongoing demand for 533 00:42:55,119 --> 00:43:00,800 local goods, services, skilled trades, all of those things that are going to 534 00:42:59,440 --> 00:43:04,800 support small businesses throughout Shelby County and the region as a whole. 535 00:43:02,960 --> 00:43:08,480 Everything from construction materials, food service, professional services, 536 00:43:06,800 --> 00:43:11,920 hospitality, the the list kind of goes on and on. There's going to be increased 537 00:43:10,560 --> 00:43:15,040 property tax revenues that are going to flow directly to the local schools, the 538 00:43:13,680 --> 00:43:18,960 first responders. They're going to be used to build roads to help uh create 539 00:43:17,119 --> 00:43:23,359 community infrastructure that are really going to benefit all the residents. Um, 540 00:43:21,359 --> 00:43:26,640 our supply chain requires ongoing maintenance, supplies, service 541 00:43:24,960 --> 00:43:30,560 contracts, many of which can be filled by local and regional vendors and we 542 00:43:28,240 --> 00:43:34,160 will strive to do that. And there are a lot of studies that show that data 543 00:43:31,760 --> 00:43:37,200 center investments consistently create um additional jobs beyond what is 544 00:43:35,839 --> 00:43:40,720 actually created at the data center. Some sometimes upwards of five or six 545 00:43:39,040 --> 00:43:44,720 jobs are created in the local economy for each job that's created at a data 546 00:43:42,240 --> 00:43:48,319 center. So the economic benefit of these projects is significantly broader than 547 00:43:46,640 --> 00:43:53,760 just the direct jobs at the site, which will still be significant. 548 00:43:51,280 --> 00:43:58,319 very valuable. Can you talk a little bit more about how Amazon will partner with 549 00:43:56,079 --> 00:44:03,599 the local Shelby County organizations to prepare residents for job opportunities? 550 00:44:01,200 --> 00:44:07,200 » Yeah, it's it's a good segue. So, we're committed to making sure that Shelby 551 00:44:05,280 --> 00:44:10,800 County residents are are available and in line for the opportunities that this 552 00:44:08,880 --> 00:44:13,280 project creates. Uh we're going to partner with the local community 553 00:44:11,839 --> 00:44:17,119 colleges and the technical schools and the workforce development boards to 554 00:44:14,640 --> 00:44:20,560 build the training pipelines, tuition assistance, certifications, 555 00:44:18,560 --> 00:44:24,160 apprenticeship programs. Uh obviously, we'll be working closely with the local 556 00:44:22,319 --> 00:44:28,400 economic development organizations, chambers, and community groups to align 557 00:44:26,400 --> 00:44:31,520 on workforce readiness needs and hiring needs. And during construction, we're 558 00:44:30,240 --> 00:44:35,359 going to work closely with our general contractors and obviously with their 559 00:44:32,800 --> 00:44:39,839 subs as well to prioritize local subcontractors and regional labor 560 00:44:37,359 --> 00:44:42,720 wherever that's possible. So, uh, we will continue to to deepen those 561 00:44:41,440 --> 00:44:46,640 partnerships and those relationships over the coming months as construction 562 00:44:44,079 --> 00:44:51,599 gets underway. >> Thank you. So, good to hear. Now, 563 00:44:49,280 --> 00:44:56,319 shifting over to construction. Uh, can you share more about what steps Amazon 564 00:44:54,480 --> 00:45:00,880 will be taking to minimize traffic impacts for neighbors who might live 565 00:44:58,720 --> 00:45:04,079 very close to that site? >> Yeah, another good segue. And and I 566 00:45:02,560 --> 00:45:07,119 certainly understand this concern. I have data centers that are being 567 00:45:05,280 --> 00:45:11,920 constructed in my community uh kind of on both sides. both east and west. So, 568 00:45:10,079 --> 00:45:15,440 um before work begins, we're going to do detailed traffic management plans in 569 00:45:13,920 --> 00:45:19,119 coordination with the city and the local transportation authorities. The heavy 570 00:45:17,760 --> 00:45:22,560 trucks are going to follow designated hall routes away from residential and 571 00:45:21,040 --> 00:45:26,720 school zones. We're going to monitor road conditions and obviously if any 572 00:45:24,400 --> 00:45:29,760 roads are degraded or damaged as a result of our construction, we are going 573 00:45:28,319 --> 00:45:34,560 to repair those and we will cover the cost to repair those. We adhere to the 574 00:45:32,160 --> 00:45:38,560 local noise ordinances and limit the most impactful activities to during the 575 00:45:36,560 --> 00:45:42,000 day, right during the business hours. Um, and the campus is going to be built 576 00:45:40,240 --> 00:45:45,839 in phases. Uh, so the activity is going to be spread out over time than all 577 00:45:43,920 --> 00:45:50,800 seven buildings being constructed at one time. Um, I would encourage residents if 578 00:45:48,480 --> 00:45:54,079 they experience issues at any point, uh, reach out to our community team or reach 579 00:45:52,560 --> 00:45:56,800 out to your city representatives who obviously know how to get a hold of us 580 00:45:55,520 --> 00:46:00,599 because we want to be responsive throughout the entire process. 581 00:46:00,880 --> 00:46:07,760 Thank you for sharing. Definitely a example of being a good neighbor, making 582 00:46:05,280 --> 00:46:11,839 sure that we're taking these uh ways to make sure that we're being uh listening 583 00:46:10,079 --> 00:46:17,040 to our our neighbors and being being there to address those actual questions. 584 00:46:14,880 --> 00:46:21,839 Um the next question that I have, can you tell us a little bit more about 585 00:46:18,880 --> 00:46:25,440 engineering plans for screening the site on the western and the southern 586 00:46:24,000 --> 00:46:28,640 exposure? >> Yeah, absolutely. I think Zach did a 587 00:46:26,880 --> 00:46:32,400 great job of of kind of showing that to us in the design segment. But on the 588 00:46:30,880 --> 00:46:35,359 western and the southern exposure specifically, there's going to be 589 00:46:33,680 --> 00:46:40,079 multi-layered screening. So that's going to include canopy trees, understory 590 00:46:37,920 --> 00:46:44,480 plantings, some burming where we have the space to be able to do that. And 591 00:46:41,680 --> 00:46:47,680 really the goal is to have yearround visual buffering from adjacent 592 00:46:46,079 --> 00:46:50,640 properties and roadways. And you know, obviously some of that is going to take 593 00:46:49,040 --> 00:46:54,319 time. We know how long it takes for things to grow in Ohio. The trees are 594 00:46:52,240 --> 00:46:58,160 not going to grow up overnight. Um but we have those plans in place and that is 595 00:46:56,079 --> 00:47:01,440 the the end intent. Um they were developed with professional landscape 596 00:46:59,520 --> 00:47:05,359 architects obviously comply with local codes. Typically we exceed minimum 597 00:47:04,079 --> 00:47:09,280 requirements with respect to tree planting and and screening of our 598 00:47:07,200 --> 00:47:12,000 facilities. So they've been reviewed throughout the permitting process in 599 00:47:10,720 --> 00:47:15,839 coordination with the local planning staff. Um and we're committed to making 600 00:47:14,000 --> 00:47:18,640 sure that the plantings will will continue to grow up and if not we will 601 00:47:17,359 --> 00:47:22,079 replace them and continue to interact with the community and and figure out 602 00:47:19,920 --> 00:47:26,720 what works best. >> Good to hear. Um, another question that 603 00:47:24,319 --> 00:47:31,680 came up about the process itself. Um, what does Amazon look for when selecting 604 00:47:29,040 --> 00:47:36,880 a site and partnering with the community and why are there NDAs required? 605 00:47:35,520 --> 00:47:40,240 Our site selection process is multifaceted. Uh, robust utility 606 00:47:38,880 --> 00:47:44,160 infrastructure that won't strain existing resources is obviously very 607 00:47:42,160 --> 00:47:48,160 important to us. access to a skilled workforce, which we think that we have 608 00:47:45,599 --> 00:47:52,800 in this region, compatible land use, permitting pathways, uh, fiber 609 00:47:50,560 --> 00:47:55,440 connectivity, and most importantly, a community that actually wants us to be 610 00:47:54,319 --> 00:48:00,240 there, right? A community that recognizes the benefits of an economic 611 00:47:57,599 --> 00:48:04,880 development project like this. Um, on NDA specifically, um, confidentiality 612 00:48:02,720 --> 00:48:08,079 during site selection is is kind of a standard process across economic 613 00:48:06,400 --> 00:48:11,359 development. It's not unique to us or even to data centers. uh spent a long 614 00:48:10,319 --> 00:48:15,040 time working for the state on the economic development side before coming 615 00:48:12,720 --> 00:48:18,560 to Amazon. So I know that pretty well. Um a couple of the reasons behind it on 616 00:48:16,880 --> 00:48:21,520 the business side, it prevents land speculation that could drive up costs 617 00:48:20,160 --> 00:48:25,359 and potentially kill a project's viability. Um it allows us to have some 618 00:48:23,760 --> 00:48:28,319 open, honest dialogue with the local officials about what the project could 619 00:48:26,640 --> 00:48:32,079 potentially look like once we have those answers. Um and it protects competitive 620 00:48:30,640 --> 00:48:35,040 business information when multiple communities are under consideration, 621 00:48:33,440 --> 00:48:38,640 which is often the case. We're looking for these opportunities essentially 622 00:48:36,480 --> 00:48:41,440 everywhere. So once a project is confirmed and announced though, that's 623 00:48:39,920 --> 00:48:45,760 when we can shift to transparent community engagement as we're doing here 624 00:48:43,040 --> 00:48:50,400 today. Um and the NDA phase is just kind of a necessary step in the process for 625 00:48:47,680 --> 00:48:56,640 us to get where we are today. >> Thank you. Uh one more question for you, 626 00:48:53,200 --> 00:49:02,400 John. Um the next one is about being near the rail line. Uh was it selected 627 00:48:59,760 --> 00:49:07,359 for that reason? Will Amazon use the rail to transport materials or power 628 00:49:04,800 --> 00:49:10,640 equipment such as small nuclear reactors to the site? 629 00:49:09,040 --> 00:49:14,640 » Yeah, I've heard this one been brought up at some some of the public hearings 630 00:49:12,400 --> 00:49:19,599 and and the quick answer is no on both counts. On site selection, proximity to 631 00:49:17,760 --> 00:49:23,920 a rail line is actually identified by us as a risk during site selection. Uh 632 00:49:21,680 --> 00:49:27,599 industry best practices for our hardware specifically recommend staying away from 633 00:49:25,680 --> 00:49:31,359 rail lines, airports, heavy traffic corridors. Um, I know I have a rail line 634 00:49:29,920 --> 00:49:34,319 not too far from my house and when the trains come through you can feel it, 635 00:49:32,800 --> 00:49:38,160 right? There's a vibration which is not necessarily great for computer 636 00:49:35,599 --> 00:49:42,240 equipment. So, typically we avoid rail lines and everything that's going to 637 00:49:39,920 --> 00:49:45,440 come into the data center, our supplies, all that kind of stuff is going to come 638 00:49:43,520 --> 00:49:49,839 via truck just like any other commercial building. Um, on the nuclear reactor 639 00:49:47,760 --> 00:49:53,359 piece, we're not planning to transport small nuclear reactors or any other 640 00:49:51,760 --> 00:49:57,680 power generation equipment to this site via the rail or really any other means 641 00:49:55,280 --> 00:50:01,040 via truck, whatever it might be. Um, our data center is going to be powered by 642 00:49:58,960 --> 00:50:05,200 the existing AES Ohio electrical grid. Uh, as Sergio covered earlier, um, the 643 00:50:03,680 --> 00:50:10,000 same as any other building, office building, hospital, uh, whatever it 644 00:50:07,200 --> 00:50:13,280 might be. Um, while broadly the tech industry is starting to explore these 645 00:50:11,520 --> 00:50:16,000 things, they're still largely in the development stage. Um, and there's 646 00:50:14,800 --> 00:50:19,760 obviously a lot of licensing and permitting and things that would go 647 00:50:17,119 --> 00:50:23,119 along with that. So, no plans exist for this site. U, we're powered by the grid, 648 00:50:21,839 --> 00:50:26,960 supplied by truck, and we're going to operate just like any other commercial 649 00:50:24,319 --> 00:50:31,119 property in the area. Thank you. I appreciate that answer. I 650 00:50:29,200 --> 00:50:34,559 know I said one more, but now I got one more because I think this is very 651 00:50:32,240 --> 00:50:41,359 important based off uh what we received from those who registered. This one 652 00:50:37,440 --> 00:50:46,960 question is about values of homes. So, how do data centers impact home values? 653 00:50:44,960 --> 00:50:51,280 » Again, one that I certainly understand and and can sympathize with having data 654 00:50:48,800 --> 00:50:54,319 centers in my community as well. Um, there have been a number of different 655 00:50:52,640 --> 00:50:57,680 studies that have examined property values and data center communities and 656 00:50:55,920 --> 00:51:01,280 they consistently show that the the data centers themselves do not negatively 657 00:50:59,440 --> 00:51:04,000 impact residential property values and in some cases actually the opposite. 658 00:51:02,800 --> 00:51:08,400 They've actually caused the residential property values to to increase. Um, 659 00:51:06,559 --> 00:51:12,960 we're quiet. We're low traffic neighbors compared to other industrial users. We 660 00:51:10,720 --> 00:51:17,599 generate minimal vehicle trips u because we operate 24/7. So, people are coming 661 00:51:15,040 --> 00:51:20,000 in and out at different shift times. Um the tax revenue that's going to be 662 00:51:18,880 --> 00:51:24,240 generated is obviously going to create some significant funds for improvements 663 00:51:21,839 --> 00:51:27,599 for the local community. Um in other places where we've operated for a long 664 00:51:25,760 --> 00:51:31,280 time like Northern Virginia, central Ohio, property values have continued to 665 00:51:29,760 --> 00:51:35,359 appreciate alongside with our data center growth. So um we're happy to 666 00:51:33,520 --> 00:51:38,160 connect any interested residents with thirdparty research on this topic so 667 00:51:37,040 --> 00:51:42,480 they can kind of read through that for themselves and and become educated on 668 00:51:39,839 --> 00:51:47,359 that topic. >> Thank you, John. Uh we know that water 669 00:51:45,359 --> 00:51:51,680 was one of the topics that we received the most questions about. So I would 670 00:51:49,520 --> 00:51:58,880 like to bring Ibraham back to address those questions. Abraham I know earlier 671 00:51:55,200 --> 00:52:03,920 covered uh different uh topics around water. So as a expert in this area I 672 00:52:02,400 --> 00:52:09,040 have a few questions for you that I would like you to address. Um the first 673 00:52:07,119 --> 00:52:14,319 question is Amazon water needs may impact lower water supplies and also the 674 00:52:12,240 --> 00:52:18,800 projected water consumption. Can you talk us through that? 675 00:52:16,960 --> 00:52:24,160 » Yeah. No uh that's a great question Caroline. Um um uh and I think it's an 676 00:52:22,480 --> 00:52:28,079 important one to answer. Uh as I covered in my presentation uh our data centers 677 00:52:26,559 --> 00:52:33,040 are designed to be highly water efficient. Uh we're using water around 678 00:52:30,400 --> 00:52:36,960 30 uh 3% of the year only on the hottest days of the year. the rest of the year 679 00:52:34,880 --> 00:52:42,720 effectively opening up the windows and letting the outside air cool all the 680 00:52:39,280 --> 00:52:46,960 servers. Um, in addition to that, AWS is always researching new technologies and 681 00:52:44,400 --> 00:52:51,520 new ways to be able to use less water for cooling so that our operations can 682 00:52:49,440 --> 00:52:56,000 be even more efficient. What I want to emphasize here is that for the city of 683 00:52:53,440 --> 00:53:01,359 Sydney, the existing water system has a sufficient capacity to serve both the 684 00:52:59,040 --> 00:53:06,319 current community needs as well as the projected demand for our operations. 685 00:53:04,160 --> 00:53:11,119 We're not competing with local residents for water. We want to be a good 686 00:53:07,599 --> 00:53:16,319 neighbor. Um just to reiterate also at full buildout our annual usage of water 687 00:53:14,400 --> 00:53:22,319 is going to be approximately 5 million gallons um across seven data centers. 688 00:53:20,079 --> 00:53:25,760 And if there's about three things I want people to take away from from this 689 00:53:24,400 --> 00:53:29,920 question and answer period this this presentation is number one uh that all 690 00:53:28,559 --> 00:53:34,079 the water will be sourced from the city's municipal system. There will be 691 00:53:31,920 --> 00:53:37,440 no private wells, no groundwater extraction whatsoever on our part. So 692 00:53:35,920 --> 00:53:43,200 that we will have no impacts on the local aquifer. Um there will be no new 693 00:53:40,319 --> 00:53:48,720 water or sewer infrastructure needed to serve our project. And lastly, there 694 00:53:46,079 --> 00:53:53,760 will be no impacts in any way from our operations or us being a neighbor to the 695 00:53:50,960 --> 00:53:58,319 water rates for existing customers. Our our ultimate goal is to be a good 696 00:53:55,520 --> 00:54:04,720 neighbor and have minimal impact on on the lives of our neighbors around us. 697 00:54:03,119 --> 00:54:09,839 » Thank you, Ibraham. One more question for you. Will the water column for wells 698 00:54:07,440 --> 00:54:13,680 in the area be affected by the water draw? 699 00:54:11,599 --> 00:54:19,599 » Yeah, like I mentioned um and I want to be very clear about this. The answer is 700 00:54:15,920 --> 00:54:23,760 uh categorically no. um our operations will rely will not rely on any 701 00:54:21,839 --> 00:54:27,839 groundwater withdrawals whatsoever. We're connecting exclusively to the 702 00:54:25,760 --> 00:54:32,960 city's municipal system. We're not going to extract any groundwater from on-site 703 00:54:30,160 --> 00:54:37,040 wells um or anything that has to do with the local groundwater whatsoever. Uh 704 00:54:35,280 --> 00:54:41,280 which means our operations will not have any effect on the local aquifer levels, 705 00:54:39,040 --> 00:54:47,359 their well yields or groundwater flow conditions for neighboring properties. 706 00:54:45,280 --> 00:54:52,800 » Thank you, Abraham. That was very useful. John, thank you for your time as 707 00:54:49,760 --> 00:54:56,559 well. That covers the top submissions from the community for the time that we 708 00:54:54,640 --> 00:55:00,960 have today. We really appreciate everyone for joining us. We'll be sure 709 00:54:58,319 --> 00:55:05,839 to send out the recorded link of this session to the city of Sydney to share 710 00:55:02,880 --> 00:55:10,800 on their data center FAQ page, which is updated regularly with the latest 711 00:55:08,000 --> 00:55:14,400 information about this project. We are proud to be investing in this community 712 00:55:12,559 --> 00:55:19,280 and we will continue to strive to be a good neighbor. I hope that you all have 713 00:55:16,400 --> 00:55:19,280 a good evening.